The Virgin Hero Who Fought in the Dungeon for 20 Years Returned to the Surface Only to Find the Population of the World Has Dropped Drastically, with a Male-to-Female Ratio of 1:1000 - 45

Chapter 45: The Arrival of a Mysterious Beautiful Married Woman

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A series of monster pandemic incidents that occurred in the Tokyo metropolitan area was suppressed with minimal casualties among the citizens due to the combined efforts between the military and the police. The military and the police worked tirelessly to eliminate the threat—

Or so it was what they announced to the public. However, the truth cannot be hidden. The actions of a certain individual were spread widely by anonymous citizens through social media. This dissemination could not be suppressed by the manipulation of conventional old media the government liked to do. Consequently, after discussions between the government and the Explorers’ Association, a historic announcement that would rewrite history in Japan was made public online. It was the return of Ryuuto Sakazaki, the hero who had defeated the Demon Lord twenty years ago and subsequently vanished in the deepest layers of the dungeon.

The media buzzed with excitement over Ryuuto’s miraculous and unexpected return. However, the press conference held online was remarkably procedural and lacked any celebratory atmosphere, involving the government, the Explorers’ Association, and an announcer from the state broadcaster. The image of Ryuuto Sakazaki, vividly projected by the media, elicited a frenzy among women across the globe—a reaction so intense that it could only be described as sheer hysteria. The reasons for this were manifold, but one stood out: Ryuuto’s appearance was so youthful that it defied belief for someone who was actually 38 years old, stirring immense curiosity among the public. The scar etched on Ryuuto’s cheek and the overwhelming sense of masculinity that radiated even through the screen captivated countless women across the country. Ryuuto was brimming with manly wildness, something that was absent in men today. All women who sensed that fell into a crazed frenzy.  They brought up his name in the most incredulous imagination, sharing their thoughts and impressions of Ryuuto with one another and yet, in stark contrast, the old media, particularly television networks, remained conspicuously silent as if the old media came to a mutual agreement to not talk about Ryuuto. 

The return of Ryuuto Sakazaki held a significant meaning to the world. The fervor of his passionate fanbase was extraordinary. Among that group, the emerging religious organization, “The Association to Honor and Preserve the Great Deeds of Hero Ryuuto Sakazaki-sama for Future Generations,” abbreviated as the Hero Association, had grown enormously.  The number of followers had surpassed six million. By now, the Hero Association had gained significant influence in both the politics and economics world. Once regarded by society as a gathering of eccentrics who constructed a far-fetched dream that their ultimate goal was to be blessed by Ryuuto, who would miraculously resurrect in a hundred years and bear the child of Ryuuto, their fantasy had ceased to be mere dreams. With Ryuuto’s return, the Hero Association gained a sudden big momentum. For them, his return was as shocking as the literal resurrection of the child of God.

Among them, Diane de Kinako Saionji, the 16-year-old third leader of the Hero Association, referred to as the “Pope,” reportedly collapsed while foaming at the mouth in the grand cathedral, experiencing intense incontinence upon hearing the news of Ryuuto’s return. Known as the pinnacle of beauty and even called a living goddess, Pope Diane’s perfection was breathtaking. Her beautiful face, which could intoxicate even women at a mere glance alone, contorted in agony as she murmured, “What a joyous occasion,” before losing consciousness for three whole days.

“Idiot! Why do you always have to say something unnecessary at the end?”

“Ouch! B-but I thought it might be good to leave some kind of lasting impression…”

After the press conference, Ryuuto found himself reprimanded for his parting bombshell remark, receiving a solid smack on the head from his older sister, Kazuki.

“Why on earth would you say your type is an ‘innocent bitch’?!?!”

“Well, I thought people would find it funny…”

From that day onward, a sudden trend known as “innocent bitch fashion” began to take the society by a storm. Women everywhere started dressing in that style. They popped up like mushrooms after the rain until finally, Ryuuto made another public announcement to retract his statement about the ‘pure innocent bitch’.

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“What a huge garden. This family must be up to something shady…”

Ryuuto was squatting in the Genma family’s garden, tossing breadcrumbs to the koi in the pond. The koi seemed to be quite accustomed to people. As soon as they spotted a shadow near the water’s surface, they grotesquely thrust their faces out, mouths gaping in exaggerated motions to beg for food even before Ryuuto had made a move to do so. 

Tearing up breadcrumbs into small pieces, Ryuuto aimed and tossed them at the koi’s faces, all the while waiting for Shougen to appear from the veranda.

“Take that! And that!”

Feeling like a child again, Ryuuto used up the entire loaf of six-sliced bread and then stood up, stretching his body. 

“Still not here? So slow.”

Shougen and Kazuki shared this traditional Japanese-style house. Its expansive garden, reminiscent of a historical drama, was populated by pigeons making repetitive cooing sounds that made them seem half-dead. The property was enclosed by walls to prevent intruders, and there was a small guard post at the entrance where a female security officer was stationed.

Although Ryuuto had been accepted for transfer into an explorer school, there was still some time before classes started. In other words, he had free time without anything to do. Likely anticipating how busy he would become once school began, Shougen and Kazuki had strongly encouraged him to visit the Genma residence, leading to this “house visit.”

I thought Nee-chan and the others would live in some modern apartment or something. Well, for someone like Shougen, who was raised at a temple, a traditional Japanese house probably feels more comfortable. 

Ryuuto wandered aimlessly around the meticulously maintained garden, his footsteps crunching on the round, polished pebbles. He couldn’t stay still, resembling a bear preparing for hibernation.

“Umm… Are you Ryuuto-sama?”

“Huh?”

A voice as light as a ringing bell reached his ears. When Ryuuto turned around, he saw a beautiful girl in traditional Japanese clothing standing beyond a stone lantern, accompanied by several maids.

Whoa, she’s super cute… Wait, could it be… Shougen is trying to match me with someone? In that case, all is forgiven! I will let him off for keeping me waiting this long!

Although Shougen hadn’t actually committed any real offense, Ryuuto had already decided in his mind to forgive him.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Kotoha Genma. Please remember me from now on.”

“Oh, uh, yeah. I’m Ryuuto Sakazaki. Though, you’ve probably heard about me. Ehehehe….”

Feeling a bit self-conscious, Ryuuto scratched the back of his head bashfully.

Genma, huh? So she must be one of Shougen’s relatives or something? Man, Shougen, I really underestimated you. Introducing such a cute girl to me, you’re a true friend after all!

“Ufufu.”

Kotoha gazed at Ryuuto’s face for a while before breaking into a gentle smile. Her large, bright eyes, porcelain-like fair skin, and glossy complexion made her look like a living Japanese doll. She seemed to be about fifteen or sixteen years old. Though she barely reached 150 cm in height, her overwhelming cuteness made her short stature irrelevant. This sudden appearance of a beautiful girl embodying the essence of “Japanese” tradition left Ryuuto flustered and stammering on his words. As if seeing through Ryuuto’s nervousness, a hearty laugh echoed from the veranda.

“Is that you, Shougen?”

“My bad, Ryuuto. I just couldn’t stop myself from laughing after seeing you all flustered like that.”

“Don’t give me that ‘couldn’t stop yourself’ crap. If you’re here, show yourself already! Stop being so dramatic. Jeez! You’ve always been like that!”

“My bad, my bad. By the way, what do you think of my precious daughter? Isn’t she as cute as Haruka?”

“Well, yeah… I guess so. Hm? Daughter?!”

“Oh my… Father-in-law-sama… You’re making Ryuuto-sama feel troubled. You shouldn’t tease him so much. Now, instead of standing around talking, why don’t we invite him inside already?”

“Huh? Wait, just now, did you say ‘Father-in-law’…?”

“Ah, I forgot to mention. Kotoha is my son’s wife. In other words, he’s my daughter-in-law. So for you, Ryuuto… She should be your… Niece-in-law, I suppose?”

“Wait, what? Huh? Really?”

Left flabbergasted, Ryuuto didn’t know where to look. Seemingly pleased, Shougen smirked mischievously. 

“Once again, it’s nice to meet you, Ryuuto-ojisama.”

“Ah… haha. Oh, I see. That makes sense. Yeah, totally! Of course! Of course, that’s how it is!”

“Haha, let me guess… You jumped to some weird conclusion again, didn’t you?”

“Shut up!”

“Ufufu. Oh, excuse me. But Ryuuto-ojisama, you really are just as fun and kind as Father-in-law-sama and Mother-in-law-sama described. I’m glad.”

“Ri-Right! Uhh… Well… Hey, Shougen! I’m thirsty! Get me some tea and snacks already!”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re as demanding as ever.”

Man, she’s married, huh? But still… a married woman, huh? That’s not bad. Married women… There’s something about ‘married woman’ that makes my heart race. 

“Ufufufu~”

Seemingly sensing Ryuuto’s overly virgin gaze, Kotoha covered her mouth with her sleeve and chuckled. Her moist, dark eyes glimmered, captivating Ryuuto for a moment.

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